Bettes tears began to taper off, and she looked up at Tinas soft eyes. Tinas face, despite the tears that stained it, was one of love, and the sight set Bettes soul on fire. She knew their road to recovery would still be long and probably painful, but Tina wasnt walking away, she was still there. Bette was surprised when Tina stood up, and sat in the empty seat next to her, gently placing her arm around her shoulder. Bette smiled and placed her head on Tinas shoulder. It didnt seem right that Tina was comforting HER, but she was not going to resist.

“Bette, Im gonna need time ok?” Bette nodded into Tinas shoulder. “So dont think that I can just come home and everything”

“Tina, I know, I understand, I want you to take all the time you need. Whatever it takes for me to earn back your trust, Ill do it.” Bette whispered. The word trust caused Tinas heart to ache silently, but she DID want to trust Bette again, she really did. Maybe with time, and patience, it could happen. Tina sighed and leaned her cheek against Bettes wavy hair.

Just then Alice and Dana exited the bathroom. They decided that they would have to make an appearance at some point, and they were also curious as to what had transpired at the table in their absence. Alice grabbed Danas arm, when she saw Bette leaning on Tinas shoulder, her eyes closed, and Tina with her arm wrapped around Bette. “Awwww, look Dane.” She sighed. Dana smiled too, and they headed over to the table.

“Hey guys.” Dana greeted, sitting down. Bette sat up and smiled. “Im hungry, anyone want to order something with me?”

“***** yea! Yo, Marina! What about some service over here!” Alice shouted out. Dana chuckled, and even Bette and Tina cracked smiles. Soon the conversation picked up, and under the table, Bette and Tina as well as Alice and Dana held hands, unknown to the other couple. Soon it grew late, and when the check had been settled, Alice stood from the table.

“Dana and I are gonna go get some air, Ill wait for you in the parking lot, ok T?”

“Ill be out in a few minutes Al.” Tina smiled in appreciation. Dana and Alice turned to leave. They waved to Marina who tossed them another knowing wink. Once again Dana felt herself blushing and quickly hurried out the door into the cool evening air. Alice took her hand and pulled her a few feet in the parking lot.

“Shhh, Dana, look, lets see what happens.” Alice whispered as she peeked into a window of The Planet, just making out Bette and Tina who were still at the table.

“Alice! Youre so friggin nosey! Leave them alone.” Dana reprimanded.

“Oh shut up miss goody two- shoes, you know you wanna see.” Alice shifted over giving Dana a better view. Dana thought for a second, shrugged and then arched her neck to look into the window.

“Hmmm, talking, talking. Oooh, I see hand holding, ok, ok. Talking, talking. Wait now hold on.Is it? Ohhh, damn, just a kiss on the cheek.” Alice whispered. She turned slightly to face Dana. “Our show was sooo much better.” Dana chuckled, as Alice turned back to watch some more. “Grrrr, I lost my view, where are they.” Alice whispered, trying to relocate the couple.

“Ah-hem, excuse me peeping Tom, exactly what do you think you are doing?” Alice froze at the sound of Bettes voice, her eyes widening. Slowly she turned herself around, pulling Dana with her. She attempted her cutest smile, as she looked over to Dana, who at the same time was pointing at Alice, mouthing it was her.

“Heeey!” Alice exclaimed giving Dana a dirty look, hands on her hips.

“Whatever. Just forget about it.” Bette said giving Alice a playful shove on the shoulder. “Tina, Ill talk to you tomorrow?”

“Yea, Ill call you, ok?” Tina smiled, and gave Bette a quick, gentle hug and a kiss on the cheek. She knew it was really more than Bette deserved, but she couldnt help herself. “Ready Al?”

Alice sighed wistfully. “Yea, I guess so.” She looked at Dana with sad eyes, that only Dana could understand. “Ill call you tomorrow Dana, well reschedule ourdinner.” Bette looked at Alice and Dana suspiciously, and then at Tina, who just shrugged. The women then parted ways, heading off to their respective vehicles.

On the drive home, Alice was deep in thought. She kept replaying her hallway kiss with Dana, then their recent exploits in the bathroom, and their encounter with Marina. She didnt even notice the small smile that was growing across her lips as she tried to relive her and Danas passionate encounter, trying to re-imagine the feel of Danas lips on her mouth and neck, the feel of Danas hair between her fingers.

“Ok Alice, You havent said anything in like, five whole minutes since weve been in the car. Something you want to tell me?” Tina turned in her seat just in time to see Alice stifle her grin. “Oh my God Alice, I totally know that look, who is it? Youve met someone havent you, I cant believe you havent said any.” Tina excitedly started to chatter on but was cut short.

“Tina, if I tell you something, will you promise not to say anything.to anyone?” Alice looked Tina dead on, and Tina knew she was serious. Tina nodded her head quickly, excited to find out details. Alice took a deep breath. “Ok, it started last week. The night you and Bette got into the fight.” She paused to take another deep breath. “Well, I went over Danas house, and I well I sort of kissed her.” Alice paused for Tinas response, her eyes glued to the road, fearing for some reason to look at Tina right now. When she heard no response she continued. “And well, last week, when you called to us in the hallway of my building, we were sort of, well kissing again. And tonight, when we were in the bathroom we sort of kissed again.” She still heard no response from Tina so she decided to turn and look at her. Tinas mouth was hanging open, and her eyes were wide.

“Oh my god, Tina, is this totally bad? Am I really fucked up for doing this?” Alice started to get nervous. Slowly, Tinas face began to change, her gasp curled into a smile, and she suddenly let out a screechy, loud squeal. The sound caught Alice off guard, and the car swerved when she jumped in her seat.

“Oh my God Alice! How could you not have told me?” Tina squealed some more.

“I, I dont know, its just been so sudden and unexpected. We were gonna have to tell you eventually I guess, considering Marina walked in on us today.”

“*****! Are you serious, when you guys were kissing?” Tinas eyes grew wide again.

“Yea. But oh my God, Tina, it wasnt like a regular kiss. T, Ive never had a kiss like that before, like, I couldnt think, I couldnt breath, it was like I was”

“Floating on air.” Tina finished her sentence, her smile diminishing slightly as she thought of Bette. She remembered kisses like that, that made you feel like you were on some sort of drug, it was a high that she missed with every fiber of her being. Alice recognized the look on Tinas face, and reached over to rub her hand.

“But hey, I mean, you and Bette. It looked like it went well tonight. Were you guys able to talk?” Alice asked in a gentle, sincere tone. Tina turned and looked out on the road.

“Yea, it was good to see her. I mean, it was hard too, but it went well. God, Alice, I really do love her you know? I try not to, because part of me is still so angry, but deep down I love her, I cant help it.”

“Hey, I know, its tough. Theres no getting around it. But time will make it easier, I promise. Honestly, its the ability to overcome problems that shows the true strength of a relationship. And you and Bette have the strongest relationship out there, even though it doesnt seem like it right now.”

Tina smiled. “Thanks Al. For everything I mean, I dont know where Id be without you.”

“No problemo.” Alice smiled back.

“So, back to you, you do know Im gonna need details right?” Tina grinned mischeviously at Alice. Alice let out a defeated sigh.

“Ok, you asked for it. Here it goes” Alice began to retrace her steps with Tina, from first meeting Tonya, to her most recent actions with Dana. By the end of the saga, she and Tina were sipping tea at the kitchen table in Alices apartment. Alice dropped her head onto her arm in exhaustion. “There you have it.” She finished.

“Wow, that was quite a story. So, what now, are you and Dana an item?”

“I have no idea. Thats the thing, I mean last week ago were best friends, now were macking it in public restrooms. Its all so crazy, I feel like my brain is turning into jello.”

“You know, sometimes its kissing the person whos your best friend thats the best part. Love is like that you know. I mean, I remember when I first fell in love with Bette, I felt like I was living in a haze, a good one though, you know?” She looked at the shocked expression on Alices face. “What?”

“*****, T, do you think Im falling in love with Dana?”

“Well God Al, you look like you think that would be the worst thing in the world.” Tina paused, the same expression still plastered to Alices face. “It wouldnt be you know.” Alices expression began to soften into one of confusion. She hadnt even considered this. Alice had been so excited about being around Dana lately, just talking with her, and the kissing, well the kissing spoke for itself. But she hadnt really thought of what it all meant. Could it really be? Alice propped her head on her hands, suddenly becoming frighteningly enlightened about the situation.

“I cannot ***** believe this” she whispered.

“What?” Tina asked.

Alice looked up, her face now one of complete understanding. “Youre right T, Im totally ***** in love with Dana.”